Philatelic Photograph: Slater Mill - Pawtucket, RI

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Slater Mill

Pawtucket, RI

Topic: Philatelic Photograph

GPS: N41° 52.647; W071° 22.951

Quick Description: 

Slater Mill is located on Roosevelt Avenue at Pawtucket Falls on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Long Description:

In 1790, Samuel Slater opened the first successful textile mill in America, thus Slater Mill is considered to be the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Slater Mill used water power to operate the newly invented machinery that was used to spin cotton. Samuel Slater is recognized as the Father of the American Factory System.

The original portion of the Slater Mill was six bays long and two storeys tall. Additions were made in 1801, 1835 and between 1869 and 1872. The Mill was used for the spinning of cotton until 1895. Thereafter, it was used for various industrial purposes until 1923.

In 1921 the Old Slater Mill Association, a non-profit organization, was founded with the mission of saving the historic Mill. Restoration began in 1923 when modern additions to the structure were removed to return the mill to its appearance in 1835. The Old Slater Mill Museum opened in 1955 and in 1966 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

From 1987 to 1990 the United States issued a series of postage stamps commemorating the bicentennial of the ratification of the Constitution by the 13 original colonies. Rhode Island was the last colony to ratify the Constitution and received the last stamp in the series. The image of the Old Slater Mill as view from across the Blackstone River was chosen for the design.